While he may have been entertaining thoughts of retirement at his previous practice, those ideas are far from Dr. Nolan’s current reality. “You don’t go into a new practice and start again, only to be thinking retirement,” he says. “The new practice invigorates you. It’s exciting and a challenge, and that gets you started again.”

For Dr. Eddleman, who is practicing with brand-new operatory equipment for the first time in his career, the A-dec 500 series chairs have been game changers. “We love them and the patients love them,” he says.

If they hadn’t been willing to take a risk, neither doctor would be where he is today. That’s part of a lesson they share with others who are looking to build or invest in new equipment or technology. “Start planning today and keep planning until you’re ready to do it,” Dr. Eddleman says. “Build bigger than you think you need and don’t cut corners.”

For a doctor in a situation similar to his own, Dr. Nolan encourages full commitment. “Don’t go halfway. Jump in! We went all the way at one time, which was difficult at first, but now it’s wonderful.”

Dr. Eddleman believes that their full commitment to the practice they envisioned is what helps set his and Dr. Nolan’s office apart from others in the area. It’s also personally satisfying for him. “It’s definitely easier coming to work everyday in a place like this.”